Rahul calls Sukhbir Badal 'symbol of corruption', attacks PM Modi

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday stepped up his attack against the ruling Badals, calling Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal a "symbol of corruption" and asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear the air on why he was seeking votes for the "corrupt" if he was fighting against the menace.

Rahul, who on Friday began his election tour to poll-bound north Indian state of Punjab, on Saturday addressed a poll rally in the pocket borough of Sukhbir Badal here, from where the SAD president is seeking re-election.

The Nehru-Gandhi scion attacked the Akalis for allegedly plundering Punjab and appealed people to vote for the Congress in the February 4 polls "to transform Punjab".

Attacking Sukhbir Badal and Modi, Rahul said: "On one hand there is the Akali Dal and on the other hand there is Narendra Modi. Mr Modi comes here (to Punjab) and says he is against corruption and is fighting against corruption."

Attacking Modi in the same breath, Rahul said: "Modi comes here (to Punjab), delivers speech and says he is against corruption and has waged a war against it. Modi tells people here is Sukhbir Badal, you support him, vote for him and re-elect him."

"On one hand, Modi says he is fighting corruption and on the other hand he is trying to help India's most corrupt person. So, Mr Modi, tell us clearly if you are fighting against corruption, then why are you standing by Sukhbir Badal. Why are you helping him. Entire Punjab knows Sukhbir Badal is a symbol of corruption, but you say no no he is not a symbol of corruption. Now, whether people are right or whether you (Modi) are right, we will come to know in polls," he said.

Rahul said the ruling Badals had "plundered" the state for their own interests. "They have ruined the State by controlling everything here. The youth is unemployed while the industry is in shambles," he charged.

He promised that if Congress forms the government in Punjab, then the regime led by Amarinder Singh, will bring a tough law to tackle the drug problem.